Watch as a Mother Elephant Rescues a Calf From the River

Ralphie Aversa

Trending NowMay 14, 2014

An extraordinary video showcasing a united family of elephants is gaining popularity on the Internet.

Sandy Gelderman and a group of visitors embarked on a trip through a Kenyan conservancy organized by Kicheche Camps, which books tourists on safaris through its four different conservancies in the country. Gelderman filmed this video while traveling in the Ol Pejeta Conservancy.

Safari guide Onesmus Lesiata first spotted the group of elephants crossing the Ewaso Nyiro River, which had risen due to rain. While Gelderman was filming, a 6-month-old calf lost its footing and began to fall downstream.

Immediately an older elephant attempts to grab the calf, but to no avail. Of course, the mother comes to the rescue, grabbing the baby elephant with her trunk.

"Thankfully mum and her emergency swat team enacted a remarkable rescue," wrote the camp on its YouTube post. "They say elephants can remember, well this little calf will remember this advanced swimming lesson for the rest of its life, as will Sandy.

"With the river deep, mountain high banks are never easy for adults, let alone a six month old calf, so being washed away in the current was a very real possibility," Kicheche Camps also posted. Just after the first calf was rescued, a second almost fell victim to the current. But the other calf was able to regain its balance without assistance and follow the herd to the other side of the river.

The video hit YouTube on May 7. Kicheche Camps also posted photos from the rescue on its Facebook page.